Exile in the Water Kingdom (The Elemental Phases Book 3)

by Cassandra Gannon

  “We’re talking about giving the Air Phases amnesty. You think I’m not gonna track down every rumor I can on them, before they start sharing our bathrooms?” Tharsis arched a brow and Nia was suddenly reminded that her brother had once been one of the greatest researchers in the realm. “I think we should hear Amarna out.”

  Nia slowly nodded. “Alright. Let her come.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  I have left almost to the last the magic of water, an element which owing to its

  changefulness of form and mood and colour… has, like music, a mysterious

  influence over the mind.

  Sir George Sitwell- ‘On the Making of Gardens’

  Ty watched from her bed as Gion fitted the new sheets of Plexiglas over her windows. “You really think that’s necessary?” Ty’s head was feeling much better and it annoyed her that Freya said she had to stay in bed for the rest of the day.

  Still the view was nice.

  Gion had taken his cape off, so he looked leaner. Ty could see the muscles outlined under his shirt. His black hair was tied back, highlighting the strong line of his jaw. He had a screwdriver in his hand.

  It was absolutely wrong to find him standing there with tools so incredibly attractive.

  Very, very wrong.

  Ty licked her bottom lip.

  “It’s extremely necessary, because I don’t feel like attending your funeral.” Gion retorted. This was the first room where he was installing the Plexiglas. “An entire afternoon will be wasted, listening to people lie about how wonderful you were.”

  “But, you already own so many black clothes.” Ty thought that remark was actually sort of clever.

  Gion apparently didn’t agree. He adjusted the screwdriver and attacked the window frame, fastening the plastic into place with violent twists of his wrist.

  Ty would have preferred to keep her own handmade glass windows, but Gion seemed obsessed with the plastic. It wasn’t worth arguing about. Besides, this project gave Gion something to occupy himself while he angrily brooded.

  He really wasn’t pleased that she’d been in the Agora investigating their connection. His jaw stayed set like granite as he worked, his voice vacillating between frigidly sarcastic and outright accusatory.

  Gion was furious.

  For the life of her, Ty couldn’t imagine why that had always scared her before.

  He’d been incensed with her for over an hour now and she wasn’t least bit intimidated. Ty sat crossed legged on her mattress, wearing nothing but a nightgown and a Hello Kitty Band-Aid on her forehead, and felt completely safe surrounded by his obvious rotten mood.

  She’d become immune to Gion’s badassery. In fact, it was sort of… cute.

  Truthfully, Ty took it as a good sign that Gion was so open about his unhappiness. He must feel fairly secure with his position in the Water Kingdom. Nobody who thought they might get evicted from a palace would be so snappy with its queen.

  “Do you want to hear about what Freya and I discussed?”

  “No.” He said flatly.

  Ty made a face. “You’re being unreasonable. I explained what happened.”

  Gion positioned the plastic onto its track and did his damnedest to ignore her.

  “I didn’t break my promise to you. I told you that. I did not, and will not, try to sever our connection. I was just doing research.”

  Nothing.

  Ty began to have a real understanding of how Gion must’ve felt when she refused to talk with him for so many years.

  “Gion?” That always worked to get his attention.

  He paused for a moment, his shoulders tightening. Swearing, he flashed her an aggravated look. “Yes?”

  “I’ll think you’ll like what I discovered in my research. You shouldn’t be so pessimistic.” Ty adjusted her glasses. “Besides, I know you’re curious.”

  He grunted and turned back to the window.

  Ty bit the inside of her lip to keep from smiling and waited.

  “Alright.” Gion turned back around. “What?” Icy blue eyes had gone molten with temper and Ty was once again struck by how stunning he was. Standing in her pastel bedroom of gauzy fabrics and mosaic pillars, he looked like the villain from an old black and white movie. Someone mysterious and deadly, who lured the heroine into the deepening shadows.

  And who the hell would blame the girl for following such a man?

  “Freya doesn’t know why we have the connections.” Ty reported. Her gaze measured the width of his chest. Gion was so gorgeous. “She has some theories, but nothing concrete, yet.”

  “Wonderful. A thrilling advance for medical science.”

  Ty leaned back on her hands, so that her body was pushed forward. Her breasts pressed against the silk of her nightgown. Gion’s gaze flicked down and she saw his throat working. Ty really, really loved that he wanted her.

  “Freya doesn’t think she can fix it.” Ty continued. “That’s the bottom line. Even if one of us wanted the connection gone, what’s between us probably can’t be changed.”

  Gion dragged his eyes back to her face. “Good.” He intoned.

  Ty’s body clenched at the darkly erotic tone. “In her medical opinion --and this is a direct quote-- we should accept it.”

  “I have accepted it. You’re the one who’s trying to take the connection away.”

  “I am not! I told you. I feel like something’s wrong and I’m trying to find out what it is. I just want to understand.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with the energy, Ty.”

  “There’s something wrong inside of me. I feel it. There’s a block.”

  He looked down at the screwdriver and Ty saw his jaw tighten, again. “So, what are you going to do, now?”

  “Well, Freya suggests that we try… being with each other and see what happens.”

  Gion’s attention snapped back up to hers. “‘Be with each other?’ Sex?”

  “Doctor’s orders. If you’re willing, we just need to go slow.”

  He digested that for a long moment. “That is a fantastic prescription.”

  “I had a feeling you’d gain a new appreciation for Freya’s skills as a physician.”

  “The woman’s a medical genius.” Gion gave his head a quick shake and went back to installing the window. He started sealing the steel screws into place with silicone caulk, probably incase Chason decided to “visit.” “Of course, you’ll no doubt want to test the ‘sex for science’ hypothesis on someone who doesn’t feel wrong.”

  Ty watched the wide width of Gion’s back and thought of what Job had told her. How no one had ever wanted this man for more than just his talent for killing. How could so many people not see how desperate Gion was to have someone care for him? How could Ty have not seen it for so long?

  “You don’t feel wrong, Gion. The block in my head feels wrong.” She shifted trying to see his face. “You’re the only man who feels right. Don’t be mad at me.”

  Gion stopped working. “I need you, Ty.” He whirled back around. “What the hell would have happened if Freya could’ve separated us?”

  “Nothing. I told you, I wouldn’t have severed the connection. Why would I ever want that?”

  “Why wouldn’t you?” He shot back. “You’re scared of me, so…”

  “Not anymore. Now, I think we’re… friends.” That was a massive understatement, really. Ty was coming to care for this man on a level she didn’t understand.

  He gaped at her. “Friends?!”

  “Well, don’t you think that?” She asked tentatively. Aside from desiring her, Ty really didn’t know how Gion felt.

  “I don’t have any friends.”

  Ty glanced away, hurt by his cold answer. “I think you’re just being a jerk, right now.” She accused. “I’m mostly doing the research for you, ya know.”

  “For me?” He scoffed. “Oh, this should be good.”

  “You refuse to listen when I explain this to you. You. Could. Have. A. Match.” Ty car
efully spaced out each word. “When that happens, you won’t want this connection. You won’t want me. You’ll want her. And unless we can figure this out…”

  “I don’t want a Match, Ty. I can’t be any plainer than that. I’ll always want you.”

  Ty didn’t believe him. Right now, Gion thought that he didn’t want a Match, but he’d change his mind once she actually showed up. All Phases wanted their Match.

  Except Ty.

  She was always the one left standing alone when the music stopped.

  Gion stared at her for a long moment, taking in her doubtful expression. Then, he sighed and most of his anger seemed to fade. “It’s just… you promised me that you wouldn’t fuck with our connection.”

  “I didn’t. I was researching. Researching isn’t… messing with.” Ty had a hard time really swearing. It didn’t sound right when she did it. In order to curse properly, you had to say the words without hesitation. Ty always faltered, making the language sound stilted and thereby ruining its effectiveness.

  Gion’s eyebrow arched at the word substitution. Through his lingering sardonic annoyance, she saw amusement appear. His mouth curved in that reluctant way Ty loved.

  Ty seized the opening and pushed forward. “I made you a promise and I won’t break it.” She told him earnestly. “Unless we both agree, the energy will stay just as it is.” She sniffed. “Even if we’re not friends.”

  “We’re not friends.” Gion stared at her. “If I had friends, I probably wouldn’t spend so much time picturing them naked. What you and I have is… more.”

  More.

  Ty liked that.

  She tilted her head, so her hair fell back and watched his pupils dilate. “You picture me naked?” She asked enticingly.

  “Absolutely, I do.”

  Ty smiled, as Gion’s gaze traced over her. She wasn’t an aggressive person by nature. Even before the Fall, she’d been painfully shy. With Gion, though, Ty felt different. He made her bolder, drawing out further and further. Maybe it was because Ty knew they were both wary and broken. She and Gion had so much in common.

  And he wanted her.

  That was Ty’s safety net, making her feel more secure. Even when Gion was angry, their connection was pure and strong. That gave her courage. Ty could feel his desire for her in the Air itself.

  “Gion?” Ty wasn’t exactly sure what to say next. For once, she didn’t drop her eyes away from his, though.

  She felt the Air energy move as his focus got more intense. “Yes?” He leaned a shoulder against one of the pillars and watched her.

  “Can you come here?” Ty restlessly shifted. “Please?”

  His mouth curved, again. “I’m working, Tritone.”

  Ty frowned, thinking that Gion wanted to keep the argument going. For a second, she just blinked at him in disappointment. Then, she noticed the gleam in his eye. “You’re teasing me.” He’d never done that before.

  Ty realized she like that, too.

  “If you want something, you’re going to have to give me some incentive.” Gion absently tossed the screwdriver, so it twirled in the air, and caught it, again. “I have a tight schedule.”

  “I’m your boss. You don’t have to keep to the schedule. You can take a break”

  “And what would we do on this break?”

  Ty wasn’t sure how to play this game, but the energy was driving her crazy. “Well, what do you want to do?”

  “You.”

  Ty swallowed. “Good answer.” Her eyes cut over to the open door.

  Air powers blew it closed and it was just the two of them.

  “You’re not well enough for much.” Gion said softly.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “No, angel, you’re not. I’ll take care of you, though. Lose the nightgown and I’ll do the rest.”

  Ty had never taken her clothes off in front of a man before. She bit her lower lip in consideration. Gion had already seen her partially naked last night and she wanted him really, really badly. She could do this.

  Gion crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

  Gathering her nerve, Ty started unbuttoning the white lace. “You’re really just gonna stand over there?”

  “If I get close to you, right now, it might go too far. You’re still hurt.” He studied her progress with hooded eyes. “Freya said go slow, remember?”

  “I’m fine.” In a fit of flustered annoyance, Ty gave up on the buttons and just pulled the nightgown over her head. Her bare breasts tightened in the open air, mostly from the weight of Gion’s gaze. Kneeling on her mattress, Ty faced him.

  Gion exhaled loudly. “Do the hair thing, again.”

  It took Ty a second to figure out what he wanted and then she obligingly tossed her head back. She even added a new step and threaded her fingers through it, fluffing the curls. The turquoise streak slid against her cheek.

  Gion made an appreciate sound. “I love your hair.” His body was stiff with arousal, his eyes sliding over her skin like a caress. The Air energy pulled at her. Ty closed her eyes at the feel of it.

  “No.” Gion commanded. “Keep looking right at me. Take off the panties and lie back on the bed.”

  Ty opened her eyes. “You just love giving orders.” She began stripping off her underwear. “If this turns out to be a trick or something, I really will put you in the stocks.”

  “I have never been more serious, in my life.” Gion’s gaze went down to the junction of her thighs, as Ty slowly removed the white silk. “That’s it.” His jaw clenched so tight Ty wondered how his teeth didn’t crack. “God, I knew you’d be beautiful.”

  Ty flushed and tossed the panties aside. “Now what?”

  “I told you, lay back and then open your legs so I can see.”

  Ty eyed him warily.

  “It won’t hurt you, angel. Trust me.”

  Ty was nervous, but she did trust him. She trusted Gion with her life.

  Throwing herself into the game, Ty lay down, angling her body so she could still see his face. She carefully parted her thighs, exposing herself to Gion’s view. Stretching her arms up over her head like a pagan sacrifice, she cleared her throat. “I expect some very nice return on this, since, so far, I’ve done all the work.”

  “I thought I was on break.” Gion’s breath sawed in and out as he watched her. “Jesus, do you know how many times I imagined you like this?”

  She grinned, suddenly feeling very much in control despite their positions. “Are we counting all the perverted fantasies you had when I was an innocent minor?”

  “If I could’ve gotten away with it, you wouldn’t have stayed innocent for long.”

  “If you’d have introduced yourself and been nice, maybe you could’ve gotten away with it.” Ty couldn’t imagine ever be unresponsive to Gion. Even at eighty-four, she’d been adult enough to recognize the energy between them.

  If he’d been a different sort of man, one not so good, Gion would have approached Ty that first night. Ty had been idealistic in her youth. Romantic. Gion probably could’ve talked her out of that white dress with nothing more than one of his slow smiles and a “please.” Ty hadn’t known Parald, back then. She would’ve assumed that Gion was her Match.

  Gion should have been her Match.

  The thought filled her head and Ty didn’t try to fight it.

  “Jailbait.” He dragged his gaze away from her body and smiled. “Ready?”

  “For what?”

  Air, hot and strong, blew right across the core of her.

  Ty arched off the bed, her mouth falling open in shock. “Oh my God!”

  Gion made a sound halfway between a laugh and groan. “Damn, I knew that would work.”

  Ty’s hand twisted in the sheets as she rocked against the energy flowing over her. “Gion.”

  “Yes?” He sounded hoarse.

  She made a whimpering noise. “It feels really, really good.”

  “I know, angel. Keep your legs open.” The Air energy got harder an
d more instant. “The only upside to not having you for eleven years is I stored up a lot of ideas of what I’d do to your body when I finally got you. I’m incredibly creative.”

  “Most Water Phases are.” Ty looked over at him, her eyes glazed. The Air sucked and pressed and kissed places no one had ever touched. “Can you make it go up a little bit?”

  The Air instantly shifted and her head fell back. “Oh Gaia. Yes. Right there.” Ty’s heels dug into the mattress. She moved her body, allowing the Air to stroke her fully. “You invented this just for me?”

  “Everything I do is for you, Ty.”

  “Thank you.” She whispered breathlessly.

  “Believe me, it’s no trouble, at all.” Gion watched the Air sliding over the core of her. “Of all the things I can do with my powers, this is the only one I’ve ever really enjoyed.”

  Ty tried to focus. “Your powers are wonderful, Gion.” His childhood still haunted him. She wanted him to know that the Air energy was something good. “They’re gentle and wonderful. Don’t think otherwise.” The words came out choppy as he drove her even higher.

  “You’re the only gentle, wonderful thing in my life. You’re beautiful.”

  “And you are just… soooo talented.” Ty bit her lip, helpless against his words and energy. “It’s amazing how talented you are.”

  He smirked. “I can do better. Do you want it steady or pulsed?”

  “What?”

  “Steady or pulsed?” He demonstrated the difference and Ty gasped.

  “Pulsed.” Her body twisted in pleasure. “Oh Gaia, pulsed. Harder.” The pressure built up to unbearable levels. She had never heard of any Air Phase being able to do this. Gion needed to patent his idea for the good of the world. “Please.”

  He looked strained. “You like that?”

  “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.”

  “Just let go, angel.”

  “Gion!” Ty came in a rush of heat and energy. It was incredible. Just how Ty imagined Phazing with the right person would be. She felt the Air energy caressing her. Saw how the jagged pieces of Gion would fit perfectly with the missing parts of her. For a moment, Ty’s world was exactly how it should be.

  Then, the Water powers went wild, trying to get free and encountering that immovable block. The energy slammed against the bars of its invisible cage, ricocheting inside her head. It screamed for release. Screamed for the Air powers.